# Magnet Forensics vs PacketQ: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Magnet Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/tools/magnet-forensics) is a commercial [digital forensics](https://cybersectools.com/categories/digital-forensics) solution by [Magnet Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/companies/magnet-forensics). [PacketQ](https://cybersectools.com/tools/packetq) is a free [digital forensics](https://cybersectools.com/categories/digital-forensics) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Magnet Forensics | PacketQ |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Digital Forensics | Digital Forensics |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Hybrid | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 396 |
| Last commit | – | Feb 2026 |
| Company | Magnet Forensics | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Magnet Forensics | PacketQ |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Forensics | Yes | – |
| Cloud Forensics | Yes | – |
| Disk Image | Yes | – |
| Evidence Collection | Yes | – |
| Investigation | Yes | – |
| Windows Forensics | Yes | – |
| Triage | Yes | – |
| Case Management | Yes | – |
| iOS | Yes | – |
| Packet Analysis | – | Yes |
| PCAP | – | Yes |
| SQL | – | Yes |
| Network Forensic Analysis | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Magnet Forensics**

7 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**PacketQ**

No features listed.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Magnet Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/tools/magnet-forensics) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.
- [PacketQ](https://cybersectools.com/tools/packetq) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a small business, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## Magnet Forensics vs PacketQ FAQ

Common questions when comparing Magnet Forensics vs PacketQ for digital forensics.

### What is the difference between Magnet Forensics and PacketQ?

**Magnet Forensics**: Digital forensics platform for evidence acquisition, analysis, and DFIR. Built by Magnet Forensics.

**PacketQ**: A command-line tool that allows SQL queries to be executed directly on PCAP files for network traffic analysis with support for multiple output formats.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Magnet Forensics and PacketQ?

**Magnet Forensics** is made by Magnet Forensics. **PacketQ** is open-source with 396 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Magnet Forensics a good alternative to PacketQ?

Often, yes. Magnet Forensics and PacketQ are both Digital Forensics products. Key differences: Magnet Forensics is Commercial while PacketQ is Free, PacketQ is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Magnet Forensics vs Cellebrite Digital Forensics Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cellebrite-digital-forensics-platform-vs-magnet-forensics)
- [Magnet Forensics vs DigiStor WiebeTech](https://cybersectools.com/compare/digistor-wiebetech-vs-magnet-forensics)
- [Magnet Forensics vs SISA Compromise Assessment](https://cybersectools.com/compare/magnet-forensics-vs-sisa-compromise-assessment)
- [PacketQ vs Cellebrite Digital Forensics Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cellebrite-digital-forensics-platform-vs-packetq)
- [PacketQ vs DigiStor WiebeTech](https://cybersectools.com/compare/digistor-wiebetech-vs-packetq)
- [PacketQ vs SISA Compromise Assessment](https://cybersectools.com/compare/packetq-vs-sisa-compromise-assessment)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Magnet Forensics alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/magnet-forensics)
- [See all PacketQ alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/packetq)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/magnet-forensics-vs-packetq

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/magnet-forensics.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Magnet Forensics and PacketQ: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md